In 1983, a young 12-year-old named Alex Balazs embarked on a journey that would shape the trajectory of his entire career. His inquisitive mind and passion for technology led his parents to enroll him in a programming class. Little did he know, at that same moment in time, Scott Cook was laying the foundation of what would become a monumental force in the tech world: Intuit.
The separate paths of Alex and Intuit seemed to be drawn closer by a beautiful symmetry. With each line of code that Alex mastered, Intuit grew in its technological prowess, carving out its niche in the industry. For 20 years, Alex honed his skills, nurtured his knowledge, and deepened his understanding of technology.
Then 25 years ago, Alex joined Intuit, eventually rising to the top as its CTO in 2023. His visit to Intuit in India last November was an opportunity to forge stronger connections with technologists at the site. He inspired each one of them with interesting anecdotes from his personal journey in tech.
For anyone looking to leave a mark in the tech world, remember, as Alex puts it: “It’s about nurturing builders, championing innovation, and being bold enough to think that you can change the world, one line of code at a time.” Read on to see the high points from the podcast he recorded that inspired engineers to not just adapt to change but to lead the change.
Thrive on active, creative problem solving: At the same time, propagate a continuous learning mindset—he metaphorically refers to it as ‘riding the wave’ of technological advancements.
“Nurturing technologists to think beyond coding is critical because continuous learning is the cornerstone of achieving mastery in our field, particularly in areas like AI, where the pace of development is exceptionally fast. By prioritizing learning from customers and prototyping, we build new innovations. For instance, the approach leads us to ask critical questions, such as, ‘wouldn’t it be great to have a robust platform capability?’ Our focus is not on passive task execution but on active, creative problem-solving and innovation. When faced with a new project, we focus on accomplishing the smallest task to solve a big problem first and present it to customers. Their feedback helps to refine, perfect, and vigorously improve—a method that has allowed Intuit to stay at the forefront of innovation.”
The imperative of adaptation and boldness: Having evolved from an introverted engineer to a visionary leader, he understands the nuances of both ends of the spectrum.
“As I developed my confidence and personality over time, I realized the power of saying ‘no,’ expressing a differing opinion, and initiating discussions. Effective communication isn’t only essential for leaders, but it’s just as important for engineers. I’ve seen that challenging norms and proposing innovative solutions lead to transformative ideas that can come from any level. Whether it’s breaking down a complex concept for someone who isn’t tech-savvy, or just working collaboratively on a team project, being clear and concise in how we articulate our ideas is crucial, leading to better outcomes.”
Fostering growth through engagement: He’s all about embracing curiosity and transforming feelings of inadequacy or impostor syndrome into a driving force.
“Imagine you’re in a meeting, feeling quite outpaced by your colleagues, grappling with that sense of imposter syndrome. I’ve had those moments, even now with years under my belt. Here’s the catch: these moments are not setbacks, but catalysts for growth. By adopting a hands-on approach and fostering curiosity, we’re able to experiment with new ideas and learn from each other. In turn, we actively adopt desired behaviors and foster a collective shift toward a rich culture of innovation.”
For members of the tech community, Alex’s narrative is a compelling reminder that their work is not just about what they build, but also about how and why they build it, and who they become in the process.
At Intuit, we take care of our own and include everyone on our journey to the top. Whether you’re a new hire or a seasoned veteran, every day is a chance to learn, grow, and reach new heights. Come join us and see for yourself what makes Intuit such a special place to work.